Augusta Family Magazine September 2018 by Augusta Family Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2018

A U G U S TA

Teen

Issue THE TEENAGE ENTREPRENEUR

AUGUSTA FAMILY FAVORITES

augustafamily.com

OUR MATHNASIUM TEAM LOVES TO HELP STUDENTS GROW STRONGER IN MATH. THANKS FOR VOTING US #1!

Unlimited Attendance | Enroll Anytime | No Scheduling AIKEN 1384 Whiskey Rd 803-226-9090 | AUGUSTA 205 Robert C Daniel Jr Pkwy 706-737-1992 | EVANS 4219 Washington Rd 706-868-9393

mathnasium.com

4 â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta Family | September 2018

contents www.augustafamily.com

photo by sean Morgan

Features 22

Teens & Depression

The Teenage Entrepreneur

naimah Shaw

Pam Molnar

Departments 7

Editor’s Page

Mom to Mom

Rethink, reflect & reconnect! Karen Gordon

News & Notes

Eating Well With Kim See-Saws & Protein

Kim Beavers, MS, RD, LD, CDE

2018 Family Favorites

Doctor Dad Nature versus Nurture Dr. Ron Eaker, M.D.

renee Williams

Smart Mom’s Guide Resume Building for College Cammie Jones

SEPTEMBER 2018

Teen Issue

A U G U S TA

On the cOver: Dylan Peltier, 15, Avery Reynolds,14, Jaleeia Givens, 17, Arianna Grace Raffa, 16, Anthony Grant Raffa, 16 & Jalen Allen, 17.

Teen

Photo by Sean Morgan at Humanitree House.

Issue THE TEENAGE ENTREPRENEUR

AUGUSTA FAMILY FAVORITES

augustafamily.com

Is your child ready for their “close up?” If you think you’ve got a “cover kid,” submit their photo and information on our website and they may grace the cover of Augusta Family Magazine.

Also, check out our contests and giveaways!

{ } Go to augustafamily.com —click on the contest page to find the current contests!

Facebook.com/ augustafamilymagazine

@AUGFamilyMag

Raising Readers Raising Readers Through the Holidays Meridith Flory

Inspiration Station JeQuane Tyler’s Family Working as One Dustin Turner

Calendar

Go Girl! Ashley Campbell White Renee Williams

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 5

AU G U S TA

Contributors Writers

www.augustafamily.com

PUBLISHER Ashlee Griggs Duren

EDITOR Renee Williams

ART DIRECTOR

Dr. Eaker is an Augusta Ob/ GYN and author. He and his wife, Susan, have two daughters in college.

Michael Rushbrook

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Lisa Dorn

ADVERTISING SALES Doressa Hawes Mary Porter Vann

CIRCULATION/MARKETING Kimberly Stewart

PHOTOGRAPHY John Harpring

Karen Gordon is a singer, songwriter and the founder of Garden City Jazz. She works with the City of Augusta to present the Candlelight Jazz Concert Series each year and has partnered with RCBOE to develop interactive courses such as Taking Notes: Jazz & The American Story and Jazz4Kids.

Dr. Dana Harris successfully completed 30 years of service with Richmond County schools and retired as an elementary school principal is 2016. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Georgia Southern. Dana has been married over 38 years and has a daughter Tanya and tow beautiful grandchildren, London and Bryce.

Chris Thelen Sean Morgan

CONTRIBUTORS Kim Beavers, MS, RD, CDE J. Ron Eaker, M.D. Karen Gordon Dr. Dana Harris Meredith Flory Cammie Jones

Meredith Flory is an Augusta-area freelance writer, military spouse and mother of two. She has a masters degree in children’s literature from Kansas State University and has taught high school and college English.

Cammie Jones is an Augusta freelance writer and mother of three.

LeeAnn Rhoden Naimah Shaw Paige Tucker Dustin Turner Augusta Family Magazine is published 10 times per year and distributed throughout the Augusta and Aiken area. Send press releases, story ideas or comments to the editor at renee.williams@augustafamily.com or mail to 643 Broad Street, Augusta, Ga., 30901. For advertising information, telephone (706) 823-3702. For circulation/distribution, call

LeeAnn Rhoden is a former 7th grade language arts teacher, established freelance editor and the publisher of Pilcrow & Dagger Literary Magazine. She is also a realtor with Blanchard Calhoun, a member of Wesley’s knitting group and treasurer for her son’s Cub Scout Pack. LeeAnn and her husband have one son and have lived in Evans for seven years.

Naimah Shaw is a freelance writer, copywriter, blogger and homeschool mom of four. Naimah graduated with a master of science in information technology and previously taught computer programming at local colleges.

After twelve years in local news, most recently as evening anchor of NBC 26, Paige Tucker is now a work-athome mom and freelance journalist. She produces two series for NBC 26 TV, First Responders and 26 Women Today, and you can see those stories on Tuesday nights. Paige and her husband have one daughter, Julia Reynolds.

Dustin Turner is an SEO and Content Specialist for Main Street Digital. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Jamie, for 20 uears, and they have a daughter Abigail. The whole family enjoys performing in community theater.

(706) 828-4391.

We look forward to hearing from you; visit our website www.augustafamily.com and on facebook and twitter. Facebook.com/ augustafamilymagazine @AUGFamilyMag

6 • Augusta Family | September 2018

Editor’s Notes Renee Williams

his month is our teen issue. We invited some local teens for our cover photo and it was amazing to see how much potential these young men and women

truly possess. For our photo shoot, we met at Humanitree House and I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners, Baruti Tucker or Brother B., as he is affectionately known. Brother B. and his wife Denise own and operate Humanitree House and they have a good thing going. Brother B. shared a thought provoking sentiment with me that day. He said, “Humanitree House started as an idea that evolved into a concept, that evolved into a culture. Culture meaning...You walk in as people and you leave as a human being.” I thought of a similar idea from French philosopher, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin who said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” This got me to thinking of today’s teens and whether they think about the bigger questions of life. Do teens think the meaning of life is the acquisition of stuff? Is it about chasing achievement and thrills or do they seek meaning outside of the material world? Without a doubt, the answers would be as varied as the teen you are talking to. Spirituality is a very personal matter but adults can have a significant influence on how willing a teen is to pursue and explore the bigger questions of life. When parents affirm and accept their children’s desire to find a bigger meaning of life, they provide a more conducive environment for a child to explore and discover their spiritual identity. What do you say to an adolescent who is getting ready to face feelings of inferiority, peer pressure, puberty, sexual development, romantic love, overcoming discouragement, sound decision making and handling independence? I think we should encourage our teens to take a spiritual journey to find out who they are, what their place in the world is and how to come to peace with life. Rarely is the purpose of a spiritual journey to find all the answers, but instead it is both a human and spiritual journey. Until October,

“Spirituality is a very personal matter but adults can have a significant influence on how willing a teenager is to pursue & explore the bigger questions of life. When parents affirm & accept a child’s desire to find a bigger meaning of life, they provide a more conducive environment for a child to explore and discover their spiritual identity.” - Renee

Renee Williams renee.williams@augustafamily.com

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 7

8 â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta Family | September 2018

Mom to Mom Ka re n G o rd o n

Rethink, reflect and reconnect!

n Feb 14, my girl Jessica and I rode to Atlanta for the Snarky Puppy concert. Yeah, I spent Valentine’s Day with my homegirl instead of my husband. You DID read that Snarky Puppy was involved, right? Ok, cool. We learned of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida on the way to the show. For the encore, Snarky Puppy invited Russian jazz singer and composer Alina Engibaryan to join them on, What Do You Think of This World Now? by Hubert Laws. The song was recorded in 1972 and I’ve included the lyrics within this piece, which I wrote the following day with the intent of posting to Facebook, after the Florida shootings. Hey hey lovelies! I know we try to keep things upbeat in here but I want to take a moment to share something very brieﬂy about the school shooting yesterday. Any time ANYTHING like this happens, it affects all of us. And, it affects us differently and that’s ok. You know that feeling you get when you hear about something tragic and wonder if any of your people are involved and then upon getting the all clear, you breathe that sigh of relief and get back to business as usual? Sending “warm thoughts and prayers” and such. But, THERE IS NO ALL CLEAR. Rethink, reﬂect, reconnect! I ask people periodically, how are we going to change the world this week? What are we going to do to elevate our community? “What do you think of this world now?” When they promise love and peace then you see around you hatred, strife, and racial hypocrisy. Some telling you how things are soon gonna be. You wonder what the future will truly hold. Politicians can speak so bold and promise to lead the way, if you give them your vote today then you hope and pray. What do you think of this world now? Warfare, drugs, ecology and then some make the claim that things have been the same throughout history. Just how can you erase what will always be? But have you heard the new things they prophesy? ‘Bout a kingdom that will not die. Where people won’t need to cry. When these problems are gone away in Jehovah’s day.” -Hubert Laws, “What Do You Think Of This World Now” (1972) I ask myself these questions as well. Let’s talk about it. Seriously.

Thank You! To all our families for voting us your favorite pediatric dentist again in 2018. We are honored and greatly appreciate your ongoing support.

New Patients Welcome!

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 9

Warm Water

Water Safety

Small Class Size

Get Ready For Summer

t h e m ag a z i n e o f m e t ro p o l i ta n au g u s ta

2018 best of home annual arts Calendar

2018

John P. McDonough, MD | Kathy C. Chance, MD | Michel McDonough, MD

We would like to thank the readers for voting us your favorite OBGYN!

Downtown: 1348 Walton Way, Suite 4100, Augusta 30901 Evans: 465 North Belair Road, Suite 2A, Evans 30809.

10 â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta Family | September 2018

706-722-1381

arts

awards

aug/sept 2018

$4.75

06 06

www.AugustaMagazine.com

00_AugSept_2018_Cover.indd 4

7/16/18 6:14 PM

SubScribe Today!

Save money, save time: subscribe to Augusta Magazine online at augustamagazine.com or call 706.823.3722 www.augustamagazine.com www.augustamagazine.com || facebook.com/augustamagazine facebook.com/augustamagazine

news&notes September 2018

App-Tastic!

mommy minute

TikTok

In honor of National Baby Safety Month in September, Dreambaby® is giving away a bundle of its most popular items to one area Augusta Family reader. Celebrating 20 years in

TikTok, also known as Douyin is a destination for short-form mobile videos and a social network. The app helps capture and present the world’s creativity, knowledge and precious life moments directly from the mobile phone. Everyone can be a creator and use their passion and personal expression through videos. On ioS, Android & PC.

child safety, Dreambaby® helps new and expecting parents with tools to make life easier for the whole family. The safety of a baby is never out of a parent’s mind so Dreambaby® offers safety solutions for just about every situation in a little one’s world. Even more so, they make safety and “baby proofing” simple. The Dream-

“The teen with the unstoppable dream can

baby Boston Magnetic Auto-Close Security Gate® is a tool-free, pressure-mounted

installation

option

navigate the seams of life’s challenges, opportunities

that is also stairway approved mak-

& calmness with daring confidence.”

home. There is also a patented EZY-

ing it ideal for just about any doorway, hallway and stairway in the Check® indicator that offers further peace of mind with visual verifica-

_Ty Howard

tion when the gate is securely locked and properly installed. For more info, visit www.dream-baby.com.

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 11

news&notes Are we there yet? AIRSTRIKE LeeAnn Rhoden

irStrike is all about trampolines, foam pits, giant air bags and as much fun as you can have. This place is truly great fun for all ages. For those who have lived in the Augusta area for more than 6 years, you’ll remember the Augusta Ice Sports Center. AirStrike took over the property a couple of years ago and it is going strong. There are trampolines everywhere. Running and bouncing are encouraged and there are specific locations set aside for extreme trampolining. You can try your hand at trampoline basketball. It’s great for hitting those jump shots. If you are more inclined toward dodge ball there’s a whole area set aside for running, jumping and ball throwing – lots of balls. Dodge them if you can! If you aren’t really a bouncer but more of a “swimmer” there are foam pits everywhere. There the ladder climb, tight rope crossings and gladiator challenge. Watch that you don’t get knocked over or dumped in! If you prefer to add speed and heights there is the zip-line which spills you into the foam pit below. And yes, there is an obstacle course with rock walls, swinging ropes, balance beams and swinging bags all designed to land you in the pit. It’s lots of fun trying to get out and even more fun watching others try. In the center of the building is the giant air bag. You can jump in from a running start or if you are more daring there is the high dive platform from which you can jump. Land on your backside or your back for safety. The AirStrike arena is clean, the music is loud and the equipment is in excellent condition. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful but most importantly, they are pleasant. This is a venue more attractive to older children, teens and adults. There

Colonial Times Living History Park Lynn Thompson

12 • Augusta Family | September 2018

AirStrike are specific times that have been set aside for smaller children to jump. They are, of course, welcome to jump any time but be aware that bigger heavier people bounce with more vigor. LOCATION: 1249 Augusta West Parkway, Augusta, GA 30909 BUDGET: Flights are sold in 1 hour, 1.5 hour, and 2 hour increments. A 1-hour flight starts at $14.00 for ages 7 and up. Under 7 it starts at $11.00. There are different prices for weekend days. Be sure to check their website at www.airstrike.info. WHAT TO DO: Bounce! Try basketball, dodge ball, zip lines, obstacle courses and high dives. Don’t forget to fill out the liability waiver. IF YOU GO: Wear non-skid socks. If you don’t own a pair, they sell them there for $3.00. There are shoe cubbies for shoes and lockers for purses and valuables.

SAFE KIDS

news&notes

FAST FACTS Did you know more than 46.5 million children participate in sports each year in the United States? Many of these organized activities happen at school. Unfortunately one in three young athletes will experience a serious injury. The most common sports-related injuries among children are sprains, muscle strains, bone or growth plate injuries, repetitive motion injuries and heat-related illness. Before playing organized sports, make sure your child receives a pre-participation physical exam, or PPE, performed by a doctor, or a nurse practitioner or qualified clinician under the supervision of a physician. In addition, insist that your child warms up before games and practices, wears the appropriate protective equipment, and drinks plenty of water. These are some of the most important steps to preventing sports injuries. Read more in the full article from Safe Kids Greater Augusta on the Augusta Family website at www.augustafamily.com. Safe Kids Greater Augusta, led by Children’s Hospital of Georgia, works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children ages 1 to 19. Safe Kids Greater Augusta is a member of the Safe Kids USA network. To find out more about local Safe Kids programs, call 706-721-7606, or visit grhealth.org/safekids.

PSA for 2018 POP Walk The CSRA Parkinson Support Group will host its 19th annual POP Walk on October 6 at First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way Ext., Augusta. The festivities will include fun activities for children and adults, entertainment, refreshments and a raffle. Proceeds help fund research grants, a respite program for caregivers, educational resources and exercise and aquatics events. For more info or to donate, visit www.POPWalk.org, email info@parkinsoncsra.org or call 706-364-1662. Donations can also be mailed and made payable to CSRA Parkinson’s Walk, 6100 Northside Drive, Norht Augusta, SC 29841.

A U G U S TA

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 13

Eating well with Kim Ki m B e a v e rs , M S , R D, LD, C DE G u es t w r i te r S a ra h B o es ch, AU Intern

14 â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta Family | September 2018

Eating well with Kim

See-SawS and Protein wild swings and balance Headlines abound about the nutritional benefits of eating protein and I agree protein is very important. It is important in the context of a healthy diet just like fat and carbohydrates. That crazy word “moderate” comes into play like it does with all things nutrition. Marketing wants us on the extreme side of things, think of it like a see-saw—-the fun part is when the see-saw swings from high to low (eat more of this, eat less of this) while the middle balanced position is a bit on the boring side. See-saws and wild swings up and down not only remind me of nutrition headlines but of teenage mood swings. As a parent visualize yourself standing on the middle of the see-saw, one foot on each side trying to hold it in balance — that is what managing the swings of a teenager feels like (think of it as a fun little challenge vs. a stressor—-ha). Now back to nutrition, your teen may have swings in their nutrition desires as well as mood. Often I will hear of teens who go vegetarian or teen athletes who load up on protein in the name of performance. I love that teens have interest in nutrition and recognize that nutrition has an impact on health and performance. However during this time of rapid growth and development balanced nutrition is extremely important.

How much protein is needed? A great question! Teens need 0.4-0.5g protein per pound of body weight. Teen athletes need a little more protein at about 0.5-0.8g protein per pound body weight. It is ideal for both teens and adults to eat adequate protein and to distribute protein throughout the day (some at each meal and snack). For example a teenager weighing 140 pounds would need 56-70g of protein; this equates to 15-20g per meal and 5-10 grams or so at snack time. If the same teenager were an athlete they would need 70-112g protein which equates to 20-30g protein per meal and 5-10g at snack time. The teen years are a time of intense growth second only to infancy and adequate calories from protein, carbohydrate and fat is important to sustain this time of rapid growth. Striking a balance is important. Protein bars and supplements are often marketed to athletes as they do have higher protein needs than non-athletes. Eating extra protein does not build muscles on its own. Eating adequate protein supports muscle growth and repair when combined with exercise. During exercise, running, weight lifting or other physical activity some muscle cells breakdown, protein from food helps repair the damage, builds muscle and improves strength. What is the best protein source? Protein from food is always the preferred source and many foods provide protein. This table provides an approximation of the amount of protein provided by food categories.

What about protein supplements and powders? Are they necessary? The short answer is no. Most of the time protein needs can be met from foods eaten in meals and snacks. It is wise especially while you still have influence (though fleeting) to encourage teens to eat protein in the form of food verses supplements. Protein from whole foods provides other beneficial nutrients such as zinc, iron, calcium, B vitamins and more. What about protein bars? Grab and go bar type snacks come in quite handy and come in many varieties. Homemade foods always reign supreme but life and hurried schedules dictate the need to rely on pre-made bars from time to time. My advice there is to choose the bar with the simplest ingredient list, minimal added sugar with a flavor and texture your teen enjoys.

Backpack Bagel This handy snack packs in some whole grains, texture and natural sweetness. 1 whole-wheat mini bagel 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter 1 Tbsp Grape Nuts (can substitute sunflower seeds) ½ small banana, sliced (can substitute 1 tablespoon dried cherries) Spread peanut butter on half of the bagel. Top with grape nuts and banana slices. Cover with the other half of the bagel. Yield: 1 serving Nutrient Breakdown: Calories 241, Fat 9g (2g saturated, 4g monounsaturated), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 260mg, Carbohydrate 36g, Fiber 4g, Protein 9g protein

Kim Beavers is a Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator for University Health Care System. She lives in North Augusta with her husband and two children and she is the co-host of the culinary nutrition segment Eating Well with Kim, which airs at noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday on WRDW. To be notified of new recipes join Kim’s facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/eatingwellwithkim. To search for specific recipes go to www.universityhealth.org/ewwk. You can also watch the segments at www.wrdw.com/ewwk.

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 15

Dr. Dad

J. Ro n E a ker, M . D.

NATURE VERUS NURTURE SIXTH IN A SERIES OF TEN HABITS FOR A HEALTHY MOM

The debate over nature versus nurture, especially as it relates to health, rages on like a California wildfire. Almost daily, new discoveries are published detailing the impact of genetic makeup and one’s health. Cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and a host of other maladies are clearly dependent on a variety of “nature” indices like genes and mutations. In particular, breast and ovarian cancer have been intimately linked to a myriad of genes that can be passed along to family members. Many of you are familiar with the BRCA genes, specifically BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 , that, if they exist in your genetic code, dramatically increase your risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. Let’s put that risk into context. Currently, about 12% of women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. By contrast, a recent large study estimated that about 72% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 mutation and about 69% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA2 mutation will develop breast cancer by the age of 80.1 About 1% of women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetime; however, with the BRCA mutation present, that risk jumps to 44% for BRCA 1 and 17% for BRCA 2.2 These risks are real, fixed and scary because they are totally out of your control. It’s important to notice, however, that there are still a number of women who have these mutations that remain perfectly healthy. Here arises much of the debate over nature versus nurture for these folks. Are there behaviors that make one woman more or less susceptible to these mutations? The answer is a resounding yes. Behavior, what we do and how we do it, as it turns out can have a profound effect on everything from cancer risk to longevity. For example, one of the greatest risk factors for cervical cancer is multiple sexual partners. Women who have a number of different encounters are at greater risk for contracting the Human Papilloma Virus which is the number one cause of abnormal changes in cervical cells that potentially can lead to cancer. It’s really a matter of statistics and behavior. There is a fascinating branch of science broadly labeled Epigenetics. Simply stated it is the study biological mechanisms that will switch genes on and off. Going back to the BRCA example, why some women develop cancer and others don’t may be due to the expression of that mutated gene. This is the essence of epigenetics, how and why some genes are active and others aren’t. What’s truly fascinating are some of the epigenetic influences.

Environmental factors such as food, drugs or exposure to toxins can cause epigenetic changes by altering the way molecules bind to DNA or changing the structure of proteins that DNA wraps around. You change the expression of the gene, you change the risk of developing a cancer. Maleness and femaleness can effect gene expression as well as certain drugs. Even exposure to x-rays and sunlight can exert an epigenetic influence. Some researchers suspect diet, exercise and even mood can influence how genes function, so behavior certainly matters. For example, a 2014 study from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden asked 23 men and women to bicycle using only one leg for 45 minutes, four times a week over three months. In comparing muscle biopsies before and after the experiment, scientists found that, in the exercised muscle, new patterns had developed on genes associated with insulin response, inflammation and energy metabolism.3 All this may be interesting, but is it practical? Can what we do influence something as simple as living to 100? Dan Buettner thinks so. The author of the best seller, The Blue Zones notes certain consistent behaviors in cultures with the highest rates of centenarians. (People over 100) He lists several habits that seem to correlate with extreme longevity. They include: 1. Drink lots and lots of water (and the occasional red wine). 2. Eat less overall (total calorie reduction improves longevity in rats and humans). 3. Continue living with purpose (staying mentally engaged). 4. Be in community (people who were alone or isolated died earlier). 5. Stay active (walking regularly is best). 6. Be optimistic (those who were more positive tended to live longer). It’s easy to see that these characteristics are all choices available to anyone regardless of their genetic makeup. We are learning more and more that genetics loads the gun but often behavior pulls the trigger. You are not always and forever a captive of your family history but can exert remarkable influence on your health by making good choices. Dr. Eaker is an Augusta Ob/GYN and author. He and his wife, Susan, have two daughters in college.

Kuchenbaecker KB, Hopper JL, Barnes DR, et al. Risks of breast, ovarian, and contralateral breast cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. JAMA 2017; 317(23):2402-2416. 2 Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, et al. (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2014, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, 3 https://www.scientificamerican.com/page/sponsored/nestle/how-diet-can-change-your-dna/ 1

16 • Augusta Family | September 2018

A U G U S TA

To advertise, call Lisa Dorn 706-823-3702 OCTO

BER

2016

AUG

WELC

Fall ✲

OME

FA PRO LL From A DUCE p

U S TA

JUL

1 Y 20

AUG

rat

Celeb

& ARTSRTS SPOREE

EARLY

INTER

It’s impo VENTION rt with sp ant for kids ecial ne eds

✲ TH AL OC

ANN S P E UAL NEEDS C I A L DIRE stafa

mily.

com

acts irus F Zika V e

ples To Yams

augu

UST

THSrts

Utheir spo YhO o take EME w EXTR to the

CTORY Campbe ll Har Allen and ison, 9, is the dau Gail Har ison of ghter of Martin ez.

FROM A LOT

Art!

KIDS

LEA R

aug

usta

fam

ily.c

wes es Ha and d Jam es s, 3, an of Jam Hawe children sta. gu Alaya of Au are the II, 5, a Hawes Monic

UELE BE C LIONS DON’T NCUSS ABO

O UT C

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 17

Smart Mom’s Guide C a m m i e Jo n e s

18 • Augusta Family | September 2018

Smart Mom’s Guide

Resume Building

For college As a mother of a high school senior, we are in the midst of applying for college and all the senior year stuff that goes with that. It can be overwhelming at times. You get a list of upcoming deadlines from the high school and colleges are sending emails and snail mail brochures all the time. It’s difficult to navigate it all. The best advice I received from parents of older kids is to begin early. I’ve put together a loose guideline to help you organize your kid’s life once they hit 9th grade in preparation for college. 1. Keep a running list. As soon as they enter 9th Grade, open a document that your child can also access with an ongoing list of sports, clubs and other extra-curricular activities. Make sure to include any leadership positions your child held. Be detailed in your explanation along with dates and years as this will help when applying for colleges.

to college life. Some of these programs are voluntary and some are invitation based. Look into various college websites and see what they have to offer. Talk to your child’s school guidance counselor who should be knowledgeable about these programs or have the resources to learn about them and guide you in the right direction.

6. volunteer, volunteer, volunteer. 2. try everything, even if it seems little at the time. Encourage your child to try different things in middle school to see what interests him. Never tried theatre? Sign up your child for an acting camp. Not sure if they want to play an instrument or piano? Sign them up for a lesson or two to see if this is something they would like to pursue. Once in high school, it’s not too late to find that one or two things that your child has a passion for. Let them explore the many sports, music and arts, technology or any other activity that may be the perfect fit for your kid. Then, pursue those interests and see what blossoms.

3. find that one activity or service project that speaKs to your child. Once your child has figured out what interests them and what they have a passion for, pursue that more than anything else. It doesn’t have to be a sport. It can be a community cause or a project at your church. Whatever it is that peaks your child’s interest and utilizes her talents is where you need her to focus. Plus, you won’t feel like you are forcing your child to go to this or that practice or function. If it’s something they love, they will want to do it.

4. thinK outside the box. There are so many causes and groups in our community and many of them are not the usual. Look for those “outside the box” organizations or clubs that would be a good fit for your son or daughter. See if your child wants to start their own club or organization using their skills and interests. Your child is a math whiz? Have him start a tutoring program for younger kids at a local elementary or middle school. A good artist? See if you can volunteer to help with any after school or summer art camps in our area.

If all else fails and your child just can’t determine what he is most interested in, then volunteer everywhere. Help at your church, hand out water at a benefit run or walk, volunteer at your local charitable organizations when they have events. Get out there and help. Don’t forget to record this on your running list — every little thing counts!

7. be a leader. Many colleges are looking for leaders. Grades and test scores are important but taking the lead as an officer at your school or organization shows that you have confidence and guts. By being on the Board of a student organization or council or holding an officer position at a volunteer group will look good on paper and more importantly, give your child the skills they will use in all aspects of their adult life.

8. get a job. If your child has some free time on his hands, have him get a job. He can get certified to become a lifeguard and spend the summer at the local pool or Family Y. Your child can find an after school, holiday or summer job that will again be important when applying for colleges. It shows responsibility and a good work ethic. Plus, your child will be gaining experience that again will benefit him in the long run.

5. attend a college “nerd” camp.

The most important thing to remember as you begin the college application process is to be detailed. Instead of just saying, “President of the Glee Club, 2018” for instance, add a little more information. You could say, “During my year as president of the Glee Club we raised more than $1000 with our inaugural karaoke fundraiser.” Sounds a little hokey but anything that sets your child apart from others will hopefully grab the attention of the college admissions folks and give your child that little extra edge.

Many colleges near Augusta have camps that your child can attend for a weekend or during the summer months that introduce them

Cammie Jones is an Augusta freelance writer and mother of three.

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 19

Raising Readers Me red i th F l o r y

Raising ReadeRs ThRough The holidays Last year, we moved to Texas right around Halloween. I have two little ones who love to dress up and eat candy any chance they are given, and a husband who loves purple and orange decorations and activities meant to scare, so of course my family is excited about a holiday dedicated to these things. While we got in a trip to Steed’s Dairy one last time before we left the CSRA, knowing we would miss it, we quickly noticed that we had moved to a city that was filled with decorations and family friendly activities for the season. The focus wasn’t entirely on Halloween, however, but also Dia de los Muertos, a multi-day Mexican holiday serving as a time to remember and pray for loved ones who have passed away. Dia de los Muertos happens the same week as Halloween, and is widely celebrated in our new

20 • Augusta Family | September 2018

community, making October a month filled with family friendly celebrations. While most of us celebrate several holidays in the period from Labor Day in September through New Year’s Day, the actual range and number of holidays in this time period - both religious or cultural - is higher than many of us realize with over 60 holidays celebrated worldwide. Embracing “Happy Holidays” by learning about holidays not celebrated by our own families, or other approaches to those holidays, can be a wonderful way to learn history, geography, and simply to increase our empathy and knowledge of our neighbors and friends with different cultural backgrounds. While we want to keep in mind cultural sensitivity and a need to not interfere with holiday celebrations,

Raising Readers

particularly those that require introspection or reverence, holidays are often a joyous time where there are opportunities for the general public to learn about and celebrate with communities. We were able to attend a local Dia de los Muertos community festival, allowing us to jump into learning about the culture, language, and food of many people in our new city, and followed this up with reading and movies on the topic. As you move through your family’s own traditions in the coming holiday season, here are four ways that you can learn more about various world holidays with your children, encouraging a deeper understanding of the world around us and spending time more deeply thinking about the traditions your own family participates in.

Read, Read, Read As you raise your readers, fall and winter holidays can be a great time to open up a child or teen’s curiosity and find book selections, both fiction and non-fiction, that explore the history behind holidays your family celebrates, and others that they may have heard about. While books are on various shelves and places around our home, we have a canvas basket in our living room dedicated to books specifically about holidays that we pull out during each season. While most are books related to our own traditions, included are others, such as one of my favorites, The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming. Labeled as a Christmas story, it actually introduces traditions of Hanukkah through the eyes of a Latke made in a neighborhood where his house is one of the few not celebrating Christmas. In author Lemony Snicket’s (Daniel Handler) usual dry, witty style it encourages understanding for neighbors celebrating this holiday season differently and embracing your family’s traditions. Local bookstores and libraries are resources as well, and librarians and store clerks may have great suggestions for books on topics you and your child would like to learn more about. A few years ago, we were able to locate Sesame Street videos through the Columbia County library that focused on holiday celebrations in cultures other than our own.

ConsideR holidays fRom a diffeRent peRspeCtive One thing to consider is learning more about the holidays you do celebrate through a range of perspectives and world celebrations. For instance, Christmas is widely celebrated in the US and worldwide as both a religious and secular holiday, with a lot of variety in how families approach both worship and gift giving, such as varying legends of Santa Claus or gift giving on Three Kings Day. Reading and researching traditions other than your family’s can open discussion on the

history of the holiday and deeper thinking about why your family celebrates the way it does. In the season that sees the celebration of Columbus Day and Thanksgiving, many communities are conversely encouraging the recognition of native people and tribes, and using this time to learn about Indigenous Peoples and our country’s sometimes difficult and complicated past, at an age appropriate level, can widen and enrich learning for your family. There are many websites that can aid in this endeavor, such as blog websites Colours of Us, A Mighty Girl and The Barefoot Mommy with lists dedicated to diverse holiday book selections, as well as information on educational toys, discussing topics of inclusivity with children, and more: http://www.thebarefootmommy.com/2016/11/diverse-christmas-childrens-books/ https://www.amightygirl.com/books/general-interest/holidays-celebrations http://coloursofus.com/

attend festivals and events open to the publiC Many houses of worship, neighborhoods, communities, businesses, and restaurants put on celebrations open to the public celebrating holidays specific to their traditions. These events can be a way for your family to learn more about other traditions, support local artists and business owners, and celebrate the diversity of our communities. Hear music, see the wares and art of vendors, try new foods, and open up the joy of the season in more inclusive ways while teaching respect for others to your children as you do the work of gathering information on the event and expected behavior ahead of time.

leaRn about the events that inspiRed ameRiCan seCulaR holidays Starting with Labor Day this September, federal holidays in the fall allow a day off of work and school, but the history behind our celebration of these days can be a chance for a family activity that inspires learning. Work together to learn more about the events that created these holidays, and if appropriate find a way to solemnly celebrate the holiday before settling into your relaxation. For example, with Ft. Gordon in it’s boundaries, the CSRA has a number of Veteran’s Day events, and it’s important to understand the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day to be able to appropriately remember or thank our soldiers on the corresponding holidays. Meredith Flory is an Augusta-area freelance writer, military spouse and mother of two. She has a masters degree in children’s literature from Kansas State University and has taught high school and college English.

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 21

22 â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta Family | September 2018

Teens and

DePRessIOn By Naimah shaw When we think of teenagers and the years of adolescence, we think of a “happy go lucky” attitude, drama, years of rebellion and the natural process of independence and separation from family as they build an identity for themselves. The in between years of them thinking they are an adult but not quite ready to act like one or bear the consequences associated with rebellious behaviors. Often times, these attitudes stem from deeper issues that adults chalk up to “having a bad day.”

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 23

Photo by it’s me neosiam from Pexels

24 • Augusta Family | September 2018

Not uncommon for parents, caregivers, teachers and other observant adults is the budding question of whether certain behaviors in teens are the result of normal hormonal changes or whether its mental health, or even drug use related. It’s time to break the taboo and speak out about mental health and teenage years. One of the most severe forms of mental health issues affecting this age group is depression. Unfortunately, this is not something like a broken arm or sprained ankle. Most people from the outside looking in can not see any symptoms of depression. Teenagers are often told to get out more, exercise, find some friends or try harder in school when they express any emotion signifying the slightest sign of struggle. In today’s society, with the advent of social media, parents need to be particularly conscientious in looking for signs of depression. While teens use social media as a platform to form and maintain friendships, they also suffer from the validation or lack thereof of a “like”, cyberbullying, trolling and fake and distorted associations. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that depression affects more than 15 million Americans every year and is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for people ages 15 to 45. More than 80% of those diagnosed do not receive nor sustain treatment for mental health.

What do adults need to knoW? Mental health issues among teenagers is more than laziness, lack of motivation and definitely more than sadness. Depression is not the feeling of sadness but rather the lack of feeling thereof. These issues are not something that teens can simply “get over” but rather the situation needs to be carefully monitored and professionally assessed. It is something that teenagers often need counselling and treatment for. signs of depression and Mental health issues in teenagers: 1) Low motivation. This can be signaled by lack of effort in school, extra curriculars or simple everyday activities that were once enjoyed. Although being distraught is common if a teen either doesn’t do well on a test, has a falling out with a friend or doesn’t get invited to an event, when parents see visible feelings of sadness that has become continual and seems to overwhelm them , then it becomes an issue. 2) Drop in school attendance and or punctuality. The unwillingness to see or associate with any-

one or the unwillingness to be in a social setting or a public environment can prevent your teen from being punctual or showing up at all. Look for strong resistance to attending school or constant absenteeism. Drop in grades. Has your teen’s grades suddenly dropped? Do you see a lack of motivation or no desire to change it? Lack of self care. Self love and self care becomes difficult when a teenager is battling depression. Be aware of changes in appearance. Is there a refusal to take a shower, change clothing or smell good? Isolation. Is your teen chronically isolating themselves from others? Are they refusing to engage in activities or “cloaking” themselves, this means are they are shrouding themselves in oversized, unstylish hoodies when the weather doesn’t warrant it? Even this article of clothing covering a portion of their face and body can give the effect of isolation. No energy to do tasks. Are the mundane tasks like cleaning the room seemingly overwhelming?

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 25

7) Lack of appetite. Is your teenager suddenly refusing to eat their favorite foods and absent from the dinner table? 8) Everyone and everything is annoying. Do you find your teen on edge at you and their best friend constantly? Are they filled with angst towards everything and everyone? 9) Change in sleep patterns. Suddenly sleeping too much or too little? Sleep disturbance and change in sleeping habits has long since been deemed the number one indicator of depression. 10) Constant pain. Research suggests that those who suffer from depression or a mental illness are 3 times more likely to suffer from chronic pain. *Please note that no one sign is a significant red flag of depresssion. The nature, severity and duration of the problem are factors that need to be taken into careful consideration. Also, be mindful that even though your teen can give you a poor attitude or not be receptive to you asking them questions, it is important to show care and concern for any alarming behaviors. It is never easy to speak to someone

26 • Augusta Family | September 2018

going through a difficult situation, especially when we may be in denial that the child we have raised with good guidance may be struggling with issues far beyond our comprehension. This denial should not prolong us helping the teen. And with most health issues, early intervention is a key factor and an integral part of success. Here Are ImportAnt fActors wHen InItIAtIng A conversAtIon ABoUt DepressIon: 1) Remain calm. 2) Don’t invalidate their feelings, emotions or thoughts, even if they seem irrational to you. 3) Don’t make personal attacks; about incidents that occurred in the past. Deal with only the present situation or the teen may feel under attack and put up defense mechanisms. 4) Be prepared to listen even if there are things you don’t want to hear. 5) Don’t assume you have all the right answers.

Pregnancy Not a Part of Your Plan Easy, Effective, & Conﬁdential Birth Control at little to no cost Free Teen Services Available HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Richmond 706-721-5800 | Columbia 706-868-3330 | McDufﬁe 706-595-1740 OTHER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT LOCATIONS IN BURKE, EMANUEL, GLASCOCK, JEFFERSON, JENKINS, LINCOLN, SCREVEN, TALIAFERRO, WARREN, & WILKES

ecphd.com

28 â&#x20AC;¢ Augusta Family | June/July 2018

The

Teenage Entrepreneur: Creating Work Outside of the Box Pam Molnar With today’s economy being what it is, teens are having a hard time finding work. According the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, only 60% of teens were employed last summer compared to 75% in 1983. Jobs that have traditionally been filled by teenage workers in our society are now being filled by under-employed adults and recent college graduates. If a teenager is without a job during their high school years, where will they get the money to buy a car, save for college or even have a little spending money for a trip to the movie theater? Entrepreneurship is the answer. As a third generation entrepreneur, I can tell you that starting and maintaining your own business is not easy, nor is it something for everyone. It takes hard work, self-motivation and perseverance. The majority of teen businesses are service oriented and many of the families in your neighborhood can benefit from those services. Take a look at some of these ideas and see if they would be a good fit for your teen. Pet sitting: Pet sitting involves caring for someone’s pets while they are on vacation or away for the day. A pet sitter will be responsible for giving fresh food and water, walking dogs and cleaning out cat litter boxes. Pet sit-

ters need to be early risers and have the ability to get back and forth to the pet’s home 3 or 4 times each day. Although a pet sitter does not spend the night, he is there to bring in the mail, water plants or take the garbage to the curb. Tutor: Teens can use their skills to tutor younger kids in a variety of areas. If your teen plays an instrument, he can work with younger students to keep up their skills over the summer and improve their technique throughout the school year. Teens who play sports can share their talents with younger athletes who need to improve their throwing, hitting or dribbling techniques. And of course, academic tutors are need-

Augusta Family | June/July 2018 • 29

More online Jobs for Teens Looking to supplement your earnings with multiple streams of income? Consider increasing your bank account with these online jobs. Fiverr – Teens (13+) can sell their product or service for $5 ($4 after Fiverr takes their fees). Use your skills to proofread papers, design a logo or provide SEO analysis. Check out what others are doing and set up your own shop easily. My Survey – Give your opinion and receive points that can be converted to PayPal or gift cards. After filling out the application, emails will be sent to you containing a survey. Answer only the surveys you want to and points will be added to your account. Jobs available for teens 16+. Swagbucks – Receive points for using this search engine. As teens (13+) are researching for their homework, they can earn points. Convert points for payout in the form of gift cards like Amazon, Starbucks or a variety of gas cards. Parents: Please read several reviews and search for scams before allowing your teen to sign up for an online job. Never pay for membership to start working for an online business. Don’T DiscreDiT craiglisT Jobs Our next-door neighbor’s son found an online job on Craiglist under the Etcetera category. He filled out an online application (with his mom’s permission) to qualify for a survey of teens and their use of YouTube and Netflix. Every day for 5 days, he answered a series of questions, requiring 30-45 minutes of time each day. He was promised a payment of $250.00 and the chance to qualify for an in-house interview with him and three friends. My son was invited to the interview which took place in the home of our neighbor. The company called me first to get my approval and spoke to my son on speakerphone with me in the room before he attended. He enjoyed the questions which only took about an hour to answer. A few weeks later, a check arrived in the mail for $75. There are legitimate companies that need teen opinions. However, parents should carefully review all online or Craigslist jobs before allowing their child to participate.

30 • Augusta Family | September 2018

ed to help with math, reading, or ACT prep. Memory Preserver: Busy families tend to collect hard drives full of digital photos, but have no plan or the time to preserve them. Teens can back up files, send out pics for printed photos and put them in albums. Families may also enjoy a video montage of special events like baptisms or their daughter’s basketball tournament. Memory preserver services may also include scanning non-digital photos or converting VHS tapes to DVD. Summer Nanny: Babysitters are needed for both working and stay at home parents during the summer months. For parents that work out of the home, they need a Mother’s Helper to entertain the children. Working parents that leave the house during the day may need someone to walk or drive their child to the local pool or summer activity. Babysitting is not only for teenage girls. Mothers of boys often look for an older boy who can relate to their sons’ interests. Power Washer: Often, the wooden structures in the neighborhood could use a cleanup. Power washers are simple to use after you have had proper instruction. Rent one at your local hardware center and offer to wash a neighbor’s deck for free. While he gets a clean deck, you will get a chance to perfect your skills and get a reference on your work. Pass out flyers to homes with wooden decks, fences and play sets. Online Retailer: An eBay retailer is an awesome job for teens as you can post, pack and ship at any time during the day. Teens can start by selling their own items like books and gently used clothes, and then replenish their inventory with good deals found at thrift shops and garage sales. Craftier teens may enjoy selling their creations on Etsy. Some seller categories include jewelry, photography, art and personalized items. Yard work: Yard work goes beyond just mowing the lawn. Teens can extend their seasonal business to offer their services year round. Spring is the time to cleanup flower beds and fertilize. Fall is the time for raking leaves, cutting back flowers and planting bulbs for spring. If you live in a northern climate, teens can extend their services to include snow shoveling. Customers with dogs may also need pet waste removed. Odd Jobs: Odd jobs can mean a variety of things to different customers so it is best to be prepared and know your limitations. Make a list of the things you can do and hand it out to friends and neighbors. Odd jobs may include washing the dog, weeding the garden, painting, sweeping out the garage or helping to serve dinner at a party. Doing odd jobs can be a good match for someone with a busy schedule as many of the jobs can be done in a few hours. Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three teenagers. She is proud to see the entrepreneurial spirit has touched a fourth generation in their family.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAMILY FAVORITES IN THE CSRA? We polled readers, tallied the votes and have come up with a list of favorite restaurants, medical professionals, retailers and more. So, without further adieu, here are our 2018 winners…

PIZZA With it’s authentic, high quality pizza, it’s easy to see Marco’s Pizza is the delicious choice for many of our readers.

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 31

Desserts 1. Boll Weevil Café 2. Tree House Macarons 3. French Market Grille Date Night 1. Frog Hollow 2. Texas Roadhouse 3. Solé tied with Finch and Fifth Restaurant (Chain) 1. Chick-fil-A 2. Bonefish Grill 3. Outback Steakhouse Restaurant (Locally Owned) 1. Farmhaus 2. Nacho Mama’s 3. French Market Grille Fries 1. Five Guys 2. McDonald’s 3. Chick-fil-A

Burgers Farmhaus Burgers take first place as the area’s Favorite Burger and with seven “Haus” burgers or an option to build your own burger, we can see why! Jazz/Hip Hop Dance Lessons 1. Cutno Dance 2. North Augusta School of Dance 3. Lett’s Dance by Mario Lett Ballet Lessons 1. Columbia County Ballet School 2. Colton Ballet School 3. Augusta West Music Lessons 1. Portman’s Music 2. Musical Express 3. Jay’s Music Performing Arts Group 1. Augusta Players 2. Storyland Theater 3. JAMP Annual Family Event 1. Arts in the Heart 2. Thunder Over Evans 3. Greek Festival Day Trip 1. Riverbanks Zoo 2. Tybee Island 3. Clark’s Hill Lake (aka Strom Thurmond Lake) Family Photographer 1. Katy D. Sullivan Photography

32 • Augusta Family September 2018

Pizza 1. Marco’s Pizza 2. Mellow Mushroom 3. Your Pie Chicken Fingers 1. Zaxby’s 2. Chick-fil-a 3. Wifesaver Mac & Cheese 1. Wifesaver 2. Cracker Barrel 3. Shane’s Ribshack

2. Amy J. Owen Photography 3. Laura Fulmer Photography

Healthy Menu 1. Humanitree House 2. Panera Bread 3. New Moon Café

Indoor Playground 1. The Playhouse 2. Air Strike Extreme Air Sports 3. Stars and Strikes

Place for Ice Cream 1. Bruster’s 2. Cold Stone Creamery 3. Dairy Queen

Outdoor Playground 1. Evans Towne Center Park 2. Columbia County Library Park 3. Riverwalk

Kid’s Menu 1. Chick-fil-A 2. Red Robin 3. Panera Bread

Museum 1. Morris Museum of Art 2. Augusta Museum of History 3. Imagination Station

Auto Service 1. Christian Brothers 2. C&C Automotive 3. Butler Automotive

Rainy Day Outing 1. The Playhouse 2. Riverwatch Theater 3. Stars and Strikes tied with Air Strike

Bank or Credit Union 1. SRP 2. Wells Fargo 3. Queensborough National Bank & Trust

Breakfast Spot 1. Sunrise Grill 2. Ruth’s Family Restaurant 3. New Moon Café

Computer Repair Service 1. Computer One 2. Computer Exchange 3. JayWil Computer Resolutions

Burger 1. Farmhaus 2. Five Guys 3. Whiskey Bar

Veterinarian 1. National Hills Animal Hospital 2. Care More Animal Hospital 3. Martinez Animal Hospital

OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND Get your fun for the whole family at The Evans Towne Center Park.

Dog Groomer 1. Broad Street Barkery 2. D’Tails Pet Grooming 3. Dogma

Birthday Cakes 1. Publix 2. SmallCakes 3. A Piece of Cake

Boys’ Clothes 1. Rhea Lana’s Consignment 2. GAP 3. Kid to Kid

Kennel 1. Paradise Kennels 2. D’Tails Pet Grooming 3. Graced Kennels

Toddler Party Place 1. The Playhouse 2. Gymnastics Gold 3. Air Strike Extreme Air Sports

Girls’ Clothes 1. Rhea Lana’s Consignment 2. Gymboree 3. Kid to Kid

Pediatric Dentist 1. Dr. Lee Baker (Center for Pediatric Dentistry) 2. Dr. John Spratling (Pediatric Dental Specialists) 3. Dr. Andrew Chandler (Augusta Children’s Dental Center)

Elementary Age Party Place 1. Tiaras and Pearls 2. The Playhouse 3. Stars and Strikes

Consignment Shop 1. Second Blessings Consignment 2. Kid to Kid 3. Rhea Lana’s Consignment

Boys’ Parties 1. Airstrike Extreme Air Sports 2. Stars and Strikes 3. The Playhouse

Grocery Store 1. Kroger 2. Publix 3. ALDI

Girls’ Parties 1. Tiaras and Pearls 2. Singing Princesses & Pirates Parties 3. The Playhouse

Children/Teen Sports Program 1. Family Y 2. Martinez Evans Little League 3. Bulls Soccer

Daycare 1. Blue Ridge Preschool & Daycare 2. Big Blue Marble Academy 3. Cornerstone Academy

Family Sporting Event 1. Augusta Greenjackets Baseball 2. Atlanta United

Pediatrician 1. Augusta Pediatric Associates 2. Pediatric Partners 3. Dr. Reginald Pilcher OB/GYN 1. Dr. Michel McDonough 2. Dr. Jean Paul McDonough 3. Dr. Kathy Chance Orthodontist 1. Rogers and Andrews 2. Trotter Orthodontics 3. Dr. Stephen Powell After-Hours Medical Care 1. University Prompt Care 2. Med Now/Urgent MD 3. Perfect Health Family Vision Care 1. Broome Family Eye Care 2. MyEyeDr 3. Stanton Optical Radio Station 1. 88.3 WAFJ 2. Eagle 102.3 3. Kicks 99 TV Station 1. WJBF NewsChannel 6 2. Fox 3. WRDW Local Website 1. CSRAKids.com 2. AugustaFamily.com 3. Macaronikids.com Favorite Part of Augusta Family magazine 1. Calendar 2. Mom to Mom 3. Summer Camp Guide

Gymnastics/Cheer Instruction 1. Gymnastics Gold 2. Augusta Cheer 3. Hayden’s

Elementary School 1. Westminster Schools of Augusta 2. Baker Place Elementary 3. Blue Ridge Elementary

Martial Arts Program 1. Premier Martial Arts 2. Greubel’s 3. Seigler’s Karate Center

Middle School 1. Westminster Schools of Augusta 2. Columbia Middle School 3. Stallings Island Middle School

Swimming Lessons 1. Dolphin Academy 2. Family Y 3. National Hills Swimming Pool

High School 1. Westminster Schools of Augusta 2. Greenbrier High School 3. Evans High School Tutoring Service 1. Mathnasium 2. Sylvan Learning Center 3. Huntington Learning Center of Evans Car Dealer 1. Gerald Jones Auto Group 2. Milton Reuben Toyota 3. Bob Richards Nissan Baby Clothes 1. Posh Tots 2. Rhea Lana’s Consignment 3. Kid to Kid

Tennis Programs 1. Newman Tennis Center 2. Petersburg Racquet Club 3. Fleming Tennis Center Family Fitness Center 1. Family Y 2. Evans Fitness Center 3. Kroc Center

BIRTHDAY CAKES Publix takes the cake as the favorite for birthday cakes.

Family Favorites

34 â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta Family | September 2018

Event will be held at

SAVANNAH RAPIDS PAVILION October 2 | 10am - 4pm

THIS YEAR’S PREMIER NETWORKING EVENT FOR BUSINESSES! Speakers will be presenting throughout the day on several topics to include networking, business planning, marketing, cyber security and more! A variety of exibitors will also be available to meet face to face. Custom packages and category exclusive sponsorships available. CALL LESLIE FOR DETAILS AT (706) 823-3719 | SALES@BUZZON.BIZ

Visit cityspintickets.com to get more information on sponsorships or attending the B2B Expo

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 35

Inspiration Station Dustin Turne r

36 â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta Family | September 2018

Inspiration Station

JeQuane Tyler’s Family Working as one Nothing inspires JeQuane Tyler more than her children and she is always ready to do whatever she can to help them. “What keeps me going is the love and passion that I have for my babies. Me investing in their future and wanting them to be the best they can be gets me going!” It is certainly enough to keep a mother and full-time garnishment specialist for ADP extremely busy. Daughter Jaleeia Givens, 17, is in student council at Grovetown High School, where she also serves on the prom committee and is working toward a career in dentistry. Her other daughter, 5-year-old kindergartener Tysley Shine, is walking runways in fashion shows. Tysley started modeling at 3 years old. At 4, she walked in her first fashion show for Tara Bryant Johnson at Dominican Beauty and Barber Salon in Augusta. A video taken at that show went viral and was even featured during a national segment on Good Morning America. “A co-worker asked for her to start doing shows, and it just took off from there,” JeQuane says. “We never expected it to go viral or lead to more modeling work.” Tysley is now a signed model with Blossom Models and Talent Management, of Atlanta, and has booked more fashion shows, including Columbia (S.C.) Fashion week and, in July 2019, Charlotte (N.C.) Fashion Week. She will be modeling for TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Law Clothing. A few weeks ago, Tysley walked the runway to show off the latest Lillie Pulitzer designs during Charlotte Seen Productions Splish Splash Fashion Show. Right now, the family is busy preparing for a trip to New York City for Fashion Week in September. Tysley will be a model for designer Rutu Bhonsle’. Booking a trip to New York presented some challenges, Jequane says. “We had to raise some money to pay for our flight and hotel. I went on social media and posted the letter from the agent and people sent well-wishes and donations.” Despite the work, money, time and travel the family puts into Tysley’s modeling, JeQuane says she will never make her daughter keep doing it if she loses interest. “As long as she likes it, she can keep doing it. But if she loses interest, it doesn’t matter. Once I see she has lost interest, we’re done and on to the next thing.” Modeling in front of crowds of people seems to come naturally. “I’ve been told she has a friendly, outgoing personality,” JeQuane says with a wink as Tysley shyly backs away, not wanting to talk. Being a model, especially the thought of being on runways during New York Fashion Week, would scare most 5-year-olds, but Tysley finally chimes in to say she is ready.

“New York is going to be far away. When I walk the stage, I hit it, hit, hit it,” Tysley says, enthusiastically punctuating each ‘hit it’ with a head shake and a finger snap. “I don’t get scared.” Tysley’s modeling – and her interests in other things – are enough to keep any mother busy. Tysley has to focus on school first, JeQuane says, and can only do modeling shows on weekends. Tysley also dances at Augusta Youth School of Dance and participates in the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church choir and performances for Easter, Christmas and Black History Month. Recently, she has been wanting to play softball and do cheerleading. Whether Tysley continues modeling or moves on to other things, though, JeQaune sees definite benefits in modeling. “Modeling will allow her to become more and more confident with herself. It will allow her to be exposed to a lot of different skills, such as proper posture, communication skills and poise.” Modeling gives her experiences most kindergarteners don’t get, JeQuane says. “She may gain popularity or recognition through her photographs or TV spots. Modeling lets her travel and experience different places that many 5-year-old little girls don’t get a chance to visit.” Jaleeia, 17, supports her younger sister in any way she can, but their personalities are quite different. JeQuane explains: “Tysley has a very bubbly, happy-go-lucky personality. Jaleeia is rather chill and laid back, but she also is very outspoken and independent. Jaleeia is not like Tysley, and that’s what makes them unique as sisters.” Jaleeia says she enjoys her school activities, which also includes Link Crew. “As upperclassmen, we help younger students and new students learn about the school,” she explains. Jaleeia wants to become an orthodontist - or a hair stylist. This year, she will be working with a dentist or orthodontist on her senior project, “which is a great step toward her career goals,” JeQuane says. Just like with Tysley’s modeling, the family works together to help Jaleeia in her career training. “We as a family are providing all the tools, training and information that she needs to help reach her goals. We stick together,” JeQuane says, “and work together as one. We are very prayerful and have faith in God.”

Dustin Turner is an SEO and Content Specialist for Main Street Digital. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Jamie, for 20 uears, and they have a daughter, Abigail. The whole family enjoys performing in community theater.

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 37

38 â&#x20AC;¢ Augusta Family | September 2018

photo Courtesy of the Greater auGusta arts CounCil

calendar

calendar SEPTEMBER

September 2. 2018 White Dinner – Labor Day Jazz Weekend. Described by some as a performance art picnic, White Dinner – Augusta is the first ever pop-up dinner party. Modeled after the hugely popular Diner en Blanc, guests dress in white and dine al fresco from picnic baskets they’ve packed beforehand. Expect a unique evening of music, art and dance. The venue is a secret location, which will be revealed a couple days before the event. Visit, www.whitedinneraugusta.com. September 2. Labor Day Fireworks Extravaganza with the Augusta Green Jackets at SRP Park, 187 Railroad Ave., North Augusta. September 3. Labor Day. September 6. Coloring for Grownups. Aiken Public Library. Held on the First Thursday every month from 1 to 3pm. Bring your own

coloring pens and pencils to enjoy a relaxing afternoon of creativity. Coloring sheets and refreshments will be provided. You are also welcome to bring your own coloring books if you prefer. Make your reservation in person at the reference desk or by calling (803) 642-2020 ext. 1131. September 8. Phinizy Center for Water Sciences Children’s Hike with Story Time. Bring your children (toddlers to age 8) for a nature hike designed especially for them! They will enjoy a story before or after they spend their time exploring and experiencing nature first-hand. Please wear comfortable closed toe shoes & bring water to drink. No dogs. Visit, www.phinizycenter.org. September 8. Summer Concert Series at the River Stage. August 11: Shadow Pines (Folk-America) September 8: Blue Brindle (Blues) Time: 7 :30 PM – 9:30 PM. Location:

River Stage at 8th Street (8th Street Bulkhead Stage), 1 8th St. Augusta. Admission is always free. Visit, www. events.augustaarts.com. September 10. National Grandparents Day September 11. National Day of Remembrance. September 11. Chris Isaak. Show at 8:00 p.m. Singer-songwriter Chris Isaak’s career has spanned four decades and a dozen studio albums, and along the way he’s been nominated for two Grammy awards, acted in several motion pictures and starred in his own critically-acclaimed television series. His biggest hit, Wicked Game, was featured in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart and was a Top 10 single in the U.S. Isaak is known for legendary performances. His most recent album, “First Comes The Night,” was re-

Arts in the heArt | september 14th Arts in the Heart of Augusta is a 2 1/2 day celebration of food, arts, diversity and culture. They have over 80,000 visitors annually and are preparing for their 38th year. Visit www.augustaarts.com.

We’d love to hear from you. If you have an event you’d like to add to our next issue, send an email to renee.williams@augustafamily.com.

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 39

Look for our Special Needs issue in October OCTOBER 2017

OCTOBER 2016

A U G U S TA

Family AUGUSTA

October 2015 ANNUAL SPECIAL NEEDS DIRECTORY ADVOCATING FOR YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD

m a g a z i n eOctober 2013

EASY ENTERTAINING

October 2014

ANNUAL SPECIAL NEEDS DIRECTORY

BRING NATURE INSIDE

PARENTING SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE CSRA

WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY

Family AUGUSTA

m a g a z i n e

PARENTING MEDIA ASSOCIATION

WELCOME

happy

Fall Y’all! Maddox Katherine Medlin, 2, is the daughter of Chad and Ashlee Medlin of Grovetown.

Fall

✲ FALL PRODUCE

From Apples To Yams

EARLY

INTERVENTION It’s important for kids with special needs

ANNUAL SPECIAL

NEEDS DIRECTORY

2013 Gold Award Winner

ANNUAL SPECIAL

Editorial and Design Awards Competition

FALL

FUN

NEEDS DIRECTORY

THERAPY DOGS The role they play for kids with special needs

Campbell Harison, 9, is the daughter of Allen and Gail Harison of Martinez.

augustafamily.com

It’s

Finally Fall!

Twins Flip and Ansley Hooks, 10, left and center, and Zach Hooks, 9, are the children of Mark and Tracy Hooks of North Augusta.

augustafamily.com

To advertise call 706.823.3702 40 • Augusta Family | September 2018

Camden Bonnell, 4, is the daughter of Kellyn Bonnell of Waynesboro, Ga.

calendar

leased in 2015. Regular Tickets: $55 – $95. Visit, www.millertheateraugusta.com. September 13. National Peanut Day. September 14. Jerry Seinfeld. Comedian and sitcom star Jerry Seinfeld will make a stop in the Garden City in September. Seinfeld has been hailed for his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences everywhere. He now sets his sights on performing both nationally and internationally in 2018. Seinfeld will perform at the Bell Auditorium. Visit, www. augustaentertainmentcomplex.com. September 14. Arts in the Heart of Augusta is a 2 1/2 day celebration of food, arts, diversity and culture. They have over 80,000 visitors annually and are preparing for their 38th year. Features a juried Fine Arts and Fine Crafts Market, a Global Village with food from more than 20 countries, ﬁve stages stacked with live entertainment and much more. This award winning festival is produced each year by the Greater Augusta Arts Council. Visit, www.augustaarts.com. September 15. The Book Tavern presents “Your Poetry: An Open Mic Experience. Each month on the third Saturday, The Book Tavern features a poet and then hosts an open mic for poetry, short ﬁction and singer and songwriters! There will be a prize for the “best” performer as determined by the “PaulPlause Meter.” Visit, www.booktavern.com. September 16. Exhibits at Morris Museum of Art. The Morris Museum of Art Tuesday– Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sunday: Noon–5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays and major holidays Admission: Adults: $5 Child (12 and younger): Free Youth (13–17): $3 Student with ID: $3 Military with ID: $3 Senior (65 and older): $3 Museum members: Free No admission charge on Sundays. Paintings by Charles Edward Williams and others. Visit, www.morrismuseum.org.

JERRY SEINFELD AT THE BELL AUDITORIUM

Comedian and sitcom star Jerry Seinfeld will make a stop in the Garden City in September. September 14 | www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com.

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 41

42 â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta Family | September 2018

CHRIS ISAAK AT THE MILLER THEATER

Singer-songwriter Chris Isaak’s career has spanned four decades and a dozen studio albums, and along the way he’s been nominated for two Grammy awards, acted in several motion pictures and starred in his own critically-acclaimed television series. September 11 | www.millertheateraugusta.com.

September 17. Literary Augusta’s Upcoming Events. Fall 2018: A Reading with Poet Lindsey D. Alexander. Monday, September 17th. Sand Hills Writers Series, featuring Vievee Francis and Holly Goddard Jones. Monday, October 15th. Visit, www.augustawritersweekend.com. September 18. Yom Kippur. September 20. Taj Mahal Trio at The Miller Theater. Show at 8:00 p.m. The son of Harlem Renaissance musicians and raised on a steady diet of jazz, blues and international tones and textures, legendary musician Taj Mahal brings a lifetime of musical exposure and exploration to every perfor-

mance. Visit, www.millertheateraugusta.com. September 20. National Pepperoni Pizza Day. September 21. Michael Viator’s Cinderella. The Columbia County Ballet will perform Cinderella for The Imperial Theatre’s 100th Anniversary!The story of Cinderella can be found in many stories and legends dating back to ancient China. Today, some 1,500 variations of the story exist. The story we are most familiar with serves as the base of the ballet and was written by Charles Perrault. It, like The Sleeping Beauty, was one of eight stories in the book titled Histoires ou Contes du temps pass (Stories and Tales of the Past). Originally,

in 1870 the Bolshoi theater requested Tchaikovsky to write the music for the ballet but it never materialized. Many decades later, a composer by the name of Sergei Prokofiev took on the task of scoring the music for the ballet of Cinderella. He began his work in 1940, but put it on hold during World War II to write the opera War and Peace. In 1944, Prokofiev picked up work on Cinderella and finished the score a year later. Based on the world’s greatest fairy tale, the Columbia County Ballet presents Michael Viator’s Cinderella. Visit, www.imperialtheatre.com. September 21. The Black Jacket Symphony

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 43

PHOTO COURTESY OF MILLER THEATER

calendar

TAJ MAHAL TRIO AT THE MILLER THEATER

The son of Harlem Renaissance musicians and raised on a steady diet of jazz, blues and international tones and textures, legendary musician Taj Mahal brings a lifetime of musical exposure and exploration to every performance. September 20 | www.millertheateraugusta.com.

Presents: Led Zeppelin “IV” at the Miller Theater. Visit, www.millertheateraugusta.com. September 22. Toad The Wet Sprocket at The Miller Theater at 8:00 p.m. The band released their ﬁrst LP, Bread & Circus, about 25 years ago on their own, independent label, Abe’s Records. A quarter of a decade later, they are still making music. Visit, www.millertheateraugusta.com. September 22. Fall Equinox September 22. Kid Jam 2018. Riverview Park, 100 Riverview Park Dr., North Augusta from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A full day of fun a

44 • Augusta Family | September 2018

the Riverview Park, the largest kid expo with 5 gyms packed with things to do. Come learn and gather info about after school centers, dance companies, pediatricians, daycares, doulas and more. In addition, there will be touch-a-truck area, inﬂatables, arts and crafts and food trucks. September 22. Sacred Heart Cultural Center presents Silent Movie Night, Girl Shy (1924) starring Harold Lloyd with Jobyna Raisin with theatre organist Ron Carter. Americana at its best! The films of comedian Harold Lloyd could be considered a perfect slice of American life just after the turn of the twentieth century. “Girl Shy” shows an

audience just that – the shy young man working to succeed, meets his dream girl, but is too poor and bashful to woo her. During his lonely evenings he is writing a book on how to win women – all based on watching vampy movies. Meanwhile his dream girl is pursued and caught by a lecherous man with a wife! Our hero goes to the rescue, on a mad chase scene through the streets of Los Angeles…. September 24. National Cherries Jubilee Day. September 24. National Pancake Day September 28. Obsession with Augusta

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLUMBIACOUNTYBALLET.COM

calendar

MICHAEL VIATOR’S CINDERELLA

Known as the “Empress of Soul,” Gladys Knight is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Come out for a night of favorites as well as new music from her latest release, Where my Heart Belongs. September 21 | www.imperialtheatre.com.

Symphony at The Miller Theater. Augusta Symphony Dirk Meyer, Music Director Jan Lisiecki, Piano DAUGHERTY Red Cape Tango RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2 BERLIOZ Symphonie Fantastique* *with EnCure app delivering real-time program notes to the audience as the orchestra performs. To purchase the 2018-19 Symphony Series Package, please call 706-826-4705. Visit, www. millertheateraugusta.com. September 28. Travis Tritt. Six String Southern Productions is proud to present country music star Travis Tritt live in concert at The Bell Auditorium. Tritt will perform along with his full band. Opening support will be announced at

a later date. Nearly 30 years after Travis Tritt launched his music career, the Grammy awardwinning artist continues to sell-out shows and stay true and relevant to country music fans across the globe. A Marietta, Ga. native, Travis Tritt is dubbed one of “The Class of ‘89,” which included country music superstars Garth Brooks, Clint Black and Alan Jackson; all of whom dominated the charts in the early ‘90s. Among his eleven studio albums and numerous charted singles are nineteen Top 10 hits, including “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde,” “Here’s A Quarter” and “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive.” His near three-decade career has produced millions in album sales, two Grammy award wins and multiple No. 1 singles on the Country radio

charts. Visit, www.augustaentertainment.com. September 28. The Augusta Blues Company Presents Blues Duo Long Tall Deb & Colin John. Long Tall Deb and Colin John continue their genre-bending and refreshingly original sound with their new full-length album, Dragonfly. Following up on the themes of their 2015 EP, Streets of Mumbai, DRAGONFLY incorporates a bedrock of blues and soul sensibilities with rock and roll, surf, spaghetti western, noir jazz, pop, Americana and world roots influences gleaned from their travels throughout America, Europe, India and Nepal. September 29. National Coffee Day.

Augusta Family | September 2018 • 45

Girl Go

PHOTO BY JOHN HARPRING

Re n ee Williams

Ashley Campbell White ASHLEY WHITE, also known as “Ashley Campbell” on air, 37, is an anchor and reporter for WJBF News Channel 6. She is married to Nathan White, who is a Sgt. with Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. They have one child, McKenna who is 14 months old and a cat, Jasper, who Ashley rescued filling in on the morning NBC 26 Today show during the holidays. When she got married, she also, “inherited” a cat. Ashley is on the board of Safe Homes Domestic Violence Center and on the Marketing Chair for Safe Homes. One word you would use to describe yourself: Perfectionist.

careful who you trust.” That comes from being a journalist for 11 years.

If you could have any job, what would you choose? I would choose to be a journalist, as I am now. I give people a voice who may not have one and I hold people, businesses and government accountable. If I can go to sleep, knowing that I helped at least one person, then I’m happy.

What would surprise people about you? It’s going to sound so basic...that I have naturally curly hair.

What quality do you most admire the most? Honesty. What’s your favorite food? I’m not into carbs or sugar so it’s protein and green veggies. Dream vacation? No doubt, Italy. Favorite place to take the kids? My daughter is 14 months and we are planning our first trip to Palm Coast, Florida. If you had a super power, what would it be? To change bad into good. There’s too much hate in the world right now.

Best thing about being a mom? Being a mom- I can’t explain it. I give my heart and soul to my daughter every second and she comes before anyone and anything. I was so selfish before she came into my life. Hardest part about being a mom? I had complications before and after birth where “at home” rehab was needed to help me walk again. After 8 months of different types of rehabilitation, I’m doing much better. Favorite indulgence? Salsa. What was your first job? I worked as a server at Longhorn Steakhouse on Washington Road in Augusta when I was 18. Whom do you admire the most? I’d say my husband, no doubt.

Favorite TV show: A lot of bad reality shows.

Signature dish? The mashed cauliflower that I’ve finally mastered! Score.

What did you want to be when you grew up? At first, I wanted to be a marine biologist so I could help save the Manatees.

Are you a planner, a dreamer or a doer? Doer, you can’t be in my profession and be a dreamer.

Hobbies? I had many before my lovely daughter came along. Now, it’s whatever makes her happy.

Favorite subject in school? Without a doubt, English.

Is there an important life lesson you’ve learned? It’s sad to say but, “Be 46 • Augusta Family | September 2018

Greatest hope: To make a difference in someone’s life in a positive way. That includes my daughter.